Coin-freed electric meter.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

F. HOLDEN.

COIN FREED ELECTRIC METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 3, 1903.

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No. 782,028. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. P. HOLDEN.

COIN FREED ELECTRIC METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented February 7, 1905.

ATENT OFFICE.

FRANK HOLDEN, OF RUGBY, ENGLAND, ASSlG-NOR TO GENERAL ELEC- TRIO OOAIIPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEV YORK.

COlN-FREED ELECTRIC METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 782,028, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed March 3, 1903. Serial No. 145,944.

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Be it known that I, FRANK HOLDEN, a citizen ot' the United States of America, residing at Rugby, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Freed Electric Meters, of which the following is a specitication.

My invention relates to improvements in prepayment mechanism for a coin-freed electricity-supply meter in which the introduction of a coin or token enables the meter to be started, the supply of electricity being automatically interrupted when the delivery of a quantity of electricity or electrical energy equivalent in value to the coin or coins inserted has been indicated.

According to my invention I employ a measuring-out disk which is opcrativcly related to a coin-freed actuatingmechanism so that it can be rotated thereby through a predetermined angle upon insertion of a suitable coin or coins. In combination with this disk I provide a device operated from the meter mechanism which returns the disk to its initial position by the working of the meter. This disk cooperates through locking mechanism with a switch-setting device so that when the disk is actuated by means of a coin the said mechanism becomes locked, enabling the switch to be closed and maintained in the closed position. \Vhen the measuring-out disk is returned to its initial position by the working of the meter, the locking mechanism is released automatically, allowing the switch to open the meter-circuit.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the application of one form of my improved mechanism to a motor-meter. The particular type of motor shown is, an ampere-hour meter similar to that described in British Patent No. 8,832 of 1598; but it will be obvious that the invention is equally applicable to any form of meter in which the registration is effected by continuous or periodic movement of an armature under the influence of the electric current.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the meter with the front of the casing removed. Fig. 2 is a side view of the switch-actuating mechanism, the coin-receiver being removed from its actuating-shaft for the sake of clearness. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line X X of Fig. 1, showing only so much of the mechanism as is necessary for illustrating the operation of the switch by the coin-freed actuating mechanism. Figs. I and 5 are detail views in sectional plan and elevation, respectively, of the registering and measuring-out mechanism of the meter, the latter mechanism being shown in section; and Figs. 6 and T are respectively end elevation and plan of the coinreceiver.

In carrying out the invention 1 provide a measuring-out disk (1, which is fixed to an axis 7/, having hearings in the side plates 0 of the registering mechanism. This disk carries on its periphery a revolubly-mounted bevel-pinion (1, which gears with crown-wheel teeth formed upon the two wheels f and 7 situated on opposite sides of the disk. The wheel f is mounted loosely on the axis 1) and is provided with spur-teeth on its periphery, gearing with the last wheel /1 of the meter registering-train. This registering-train is of ordinary construction and is driven in the usual manner by a worm Z on the armaturespindlc j of the meter. The wheel 5 is also sleeved on the axis 7) and has ratchet-teeth cut in its periphery, in which is adapted to engage a spring feed-pawl I, carried by an actuating-arm pivoted at or between the side plates 0 of the registering mechanism. A locking-pawl n, Fig. l, is also provided, which allows the wheel 7 to be rotated in one direction only by the feed-pawl Zf.

Beneath the arm 7 is mounted a coin-receiver 0, the axis of which is iittcd with an operating-handle 1) external to the metcr-cas ing. The coin-receiver is loose on its axis,

and it is actuated from the operatirig-handle through a pin 1], which projects from the face of a ratchet-wheel r and engages in a groove (not shown) in the adjacent end face of the coin-receiver. This groove enables the coinreceiver to have a slight movement relatively to its axis, so that the slit or pocket 8, Figs. 6 and 7. in the receiver may register accurately with the fixed coin-chute t in the initial position of the receiver. For this purpose the receiver is weighted at u, Fig. 6, so that it comes to rest in the position of register against a spring-stop 0;, fixed to the meter-casing. This stop is sufficiently flexible not to interfere with the rotation of the coin-receiver. The central curved rib w, formed on the coinreceiver, prevents the escape of a coin from the chute during .rotation of the receiver. The coin-receiver and the mechanism for operating it form the primary actuating mechanism of the apparatus.

It will be obvious that instead of actuating the receiver by means of the pin q, as above described, the coin may be utilized to form a connecting-link between the ratchet-wheel r and the receiver. The fixed pawl a, which engages with the ratchet-wheel teeth, prevents backward rotation of the coin-receiver. The coin when in position in the receiver projects therefrom, so that on rotation of the handle the coin engages with the arm Z and sets the prepayment-disk a, as hereinafter described. As rotation of the handle is continued the coin clears the arm, allowing the latter to return by gravity to its initial position against a stop y. The coin then falls out of the receiver into the bottom of the casing, and when rotation has been completed the coin-receiver slit is in position to receive a fresh coin.

On the axis of the coin-receiver is fixed a cam 2, which engages with the walls of a recess 1, formed in a pivoted switch-actuating plate or member 2. On the same axis as the actuating-plate is pivoted a switch-arm 8, adapted to bridge a pair of insulated contactterminals 4, connected in one of the leads of the meter-circuit, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. This switch-arm is controlled by a spring 5, so that normally it is held in the open position.

On the side of the meter-casing is pivoted a lever 6, one of the arms 7 of which is bent into the plane of the measuring-out disk a and has formed on its extremity above the disk a downwardly-projecting tooth 8. The arm 9 of the lever 6 is adapted to engage with the upper extremity of a lever 10, pivoted on the switcharm. The lever 10 is provided with a crossarm 11, at one end of which is fixed a pin 12, Figs. 2 and 3, situated in the path of the actuating-plate 2 near the bottom of its forward edge. This pin also serves to hold the switcharm in the closed position by engagement with a spring retaining-catch 13. 14 is a balanceweight carried at the opposite end of the arm 11 from that to which the pin 12 is fixed, which maintains the lever 10 normally in the position shown in Fig. 2. The projection on the tooth 8 of the lever'6, and the lever-arm 9 is weighted so that this tooth is just clear of the notch. If then the coin-receiver is empty and the operating-handle is turned, the cam causes the actuating-plate 2 to engage with the pin 12. The lever 6 is then tilted through the lever 10 so as to cause the tooth 8 to enter the notch 16, allowing the lever 10 to clear the lower end of the lever-arm 9. Further movement of the actuating-plate causes the lever 10 to tilt so that the pin 12 clears the edge of the actuating-plate, which then moves independently of the switch-arm, so that the latter cannot be closed.

WVhen a coin is placed in the coin-receiver and the handle is operated, the coin engages with the arm Z, causing rotation of the wheel g through the feed-pawl is. The wheel j then being held stationary by the registering-train, the bevel-pinion d, Fig. 4, revolves on its axis, advancing the measuring-out disk through a predetermined angle in the same direction as the wheel g. The notch 16 is therefore moved clear of the tooth 8, so that the latter rests on the periphery of the disk, as indicated in Fig. 5. The upper extremity of the lever 10 is thus preventedfrom disengaging the arm 9, and therefore the actuating-plate remains in engagement with the pin 12, causing the switch-arm to move with it, as shown in Fig. 3. When the switch reaches the closed position, in which current flows through the meter, the spring-catch 13 holds it closed and the actuating-plate is returned independently of the switch to its initial position. The meter then begins to operate,measuring the current utilized, and the registering-train causes rotation of the wheel fin the direction opposite to that in which the wheel g was moved in setting the mechanism. As the wheel g is now prevented from rotation in the backward direction by its spring-pressed pawl, the pinion (i then revolves on its axis, causing the measuring-out disk to be returned toward its initial position. WVhen a quantity of current equivalent in value to the coins inserted has been indicated by the meter, the notch 16 again comes under the tooth 8, allowing the lever 6 to tilt and release the pin 12 from the catch 13. The spring then returns the switch-arm to the open position, cutting off the supply of current. The angle through which the measuring-out disk is turned may be increased as desired by insertion of a number of coins in succession up to a certain limit until nearly a complete rotation of the disk has been effected, the

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handle p being operated after each coin is inserted. The switch remains closed after the first operation.

In order to indicate the amount of current standing to the credit of the consumer at any time,a pointer 17 may be attached to the axis as shown in Fig. -it. It will be obvious that instead of actuating the prepayment device di' reetfrom the meter-train, as above described,

an electromagnetically-operated feed-pawl may be employed for actuating the wheel f, so as to return the measuring-out disk to its initial position. This electromagnet may be excited in shunt to the meter-mains or in any suitable manner, and controlled by a contactmaking device, which may be fitted in conjunction with the wheels of the registeringtrain or other suitable revolving part of the meter. In this case the prepayment mechanism may be titted within the meter-casing or in aseparate casing, so that it may be placed at any convenient distance from the meter.

'hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 1. In combination, an electric meter, and a prepayment mechanism therefor comprising a measuring-out element,coin-controlled mechanism for deflecting said element, means operated by the meter for returning said element to its initial position, a switch included in the meter-circuit, means for actuating said switch, and means controlled by the position of the measuring-out element for operatively connecting the switch and its actuating means.

2. In combination, a meter, a measuringout element, a coin-receiver, said measuringout element being moved away from the initial position by an actuation of the coin-receiver upon the insertion of a coin and being moved toward its initial position by the meter, a switch-arm, a member connected thereto but normally free to have relative movement with respect thereto and adapted to be engaged by the coin-receiver, locking mechanism controlled by the measuring-out element for forming an operative connection between the switch-arm and the member connected therewith, whereby a movement of the coin-receiver will move the switch-arm into the closing position, a retaining device operating through the locking mechanism to hold the switch-arm in the closed position while allowing the member connected thereto to return independently of the switch-arm, and means controlled by the measuring-out element for releasing the locking mechanism, thereby allowing the switch-arm to return to the open position, when the measuring-out element has been returned to itsinitial position. In combination, a meter, a movable switch member, a trigger-arm pivoted on said movable switch member, a measuring-out element, actuating mechanism, mechanism cooperating therewith upon the insertion of a coin for moving the measuring-out clement away from an initial position, mechanism operated by the meter for returning the element to the initial position, a locking-lever cooperating with the measuring-out element and the trigger-arm to form an operative connection between the switch and the actuating mechanism upon the insertion of a coin whereby the latter will close the switch, a retainingcatch adapted to engage with the trigger-arm and hold the switch in the closed position, and means controlled by the measuring-out element for releasing the locking-lever and thereby the switch when the measuring-out element is returned to its initial position by the meter.

a. In combination with the registering mechanism of an electricity-meter, a difi'erential-gear train one of the external members of which is adapted to be operated by said registering mechanism, a coin-actuated feed device for operating the other member of the train, a measuring-out disk carrying the intermediate member of the train, a movable switch member controlling the meter-circuit, a trigger-arm pivoted on said movable switch member, a locking-lever cooperating with said trigger-arm and with the measuring-out disk, a switch-actuating member adapted to engage with said trigger-arm and close the switch when the measuring-out disk has been set by means of a coin or coins, a coin-receiver, means provided on the coin-receiver shaft for operating the switch-actuating member, a retaining-catch adapted to engage with the trigger-arm and hold the switch in the closed position, and means provided on the measuringout disk for releasing the locking-lever and thereby the switch when the measuring-out disk is in its zero position, as set forth.

5. In combination, an electric meter, and a prepayment mechanism therefor comprising a measuring element, coin-controlled means for deflecting said element, means controlled by the meter for returning the element to its initial position, a switch included in the metercircuit, means for actuatingsaid switch, mechanism for locking the switch in the closed position, and means controlled by the position of the measuring-out element for operatively connecting the switch and its actuating means whereby the switch may be moved into its closed position, said last-mentioned mechanism also serving to cause the engagement of the switch with said switch-locking means.

6. In combination with a meter, a primary actuating mechanism, an element adapted to be moved in one direction by the meter, mechanism cooperating with the primary actuating mechanism upon the insertion of a coin for moving the element in the opposite direction, and mechanism controlled by the position of said element for establishing an operative connection between the switch and the primary actuating mechanism when said element is in a predetermined position.

7. In combination, a meter, a member to be operated, a primary actuating mechanism, a coin-controlled movable element, an element movably mounted on the member to be operated normally free to have a relative movement with respect thereto, said element being normally in a position to be engaged by the primary actuating mechanism, mechanism controlled by the coin-controlled member for preventing said relative movement whereby a movement of the primary actuating mechanism will cause a movement of the member to be moved.

8. In combination, a meter, a switch, a primary actuating mechanism, an element adapted to be moved out of initial position by the primary actuating mechanism upon the insertion of a coin, and to be returned to said initial position by the meter, and means dependent upon the position of said element for establishing an operative connection between the primary actuating mechanism and the switch.

9. In combination, a meter and a prepayment attachment therefor comprising a primary actuating mechanism, a movable element, mechanism cooperating with the primary actuating mechanism upon the insertion of a coin for moving the element away from an initial position, mechanism operated by the meter for returning the element to said initial position, a switch in the meter-circuit, and means controlled by the position of said element for operatively connecting the primary actuating mechanism and the switch when said movable element is out of the initial position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK HOLDEN. Witnesses:

RICHARD VVESTAOOTT,

JOHN GRAY. 

